Damage spreading in the mode-coupling equations for glasses

We examine the problem of damage spreading in the off-equilibrium mode coupling equations. The study is done for the spherical $p$-spin model introduced by Crisanti, Horner and Sommers. For $p>2$ we show the existence of a temperature transition $T_0$ well above any relevant thermodynamic transition temperature. Above $T_0$ the asymptotic damage decays to zero while below $T_0$ it decays to a finite value independent of the initial damage. This transition is stable in the presence of asymmetry in the interactions. We discuss the physical origin of this peculiar phase transition which occurs as a consequence of the non-linear coupling between the damage and the two-time correlation functions.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figures, Revtex fil

Methane dynamics of aquaculture shrimp ponds in two subtropical estuaries, Southeast China: dissolved concentration, net sediment release, and water oxidation

Aquaculture ponds are potentially large sources of atmospheric methane (CH4) that can exacerbate climate change. A thorough understanding of various CH4 biogeochemical processes occurring in the ponds is essential for the prediction and management of CH4 emissions arising from aquaculture. However, the variations in pond CH4 biogeochemical processes among estuaries and aquaculture stages remain poorly understood. In this study, we assessed the net sediment release, oxidation, and dissolved concentrations of CH4 in aquaculture ponds in two subtropical estuaries among three shrimp growth stages. Overall, porewater CH4 concentrations and sediment CH4 release rates varied greatly among different stages in the order: middle stage > final stage > initial stage. Water column CH4 concentrations and overlying water CH4 oxidation rates showed an increasing trend over the study period. Sediment CH4 release rates and dissolved CH4 concentrations also varied considerably between the two estuaries. In the more saline Jiulong River Estuary, sediment CH4 release rate was lower while the shrimp survival rate and yield were higher as compared to the Min River Estuary with a lower water salinity. Our results suggest that both high water salinity and feed utilization efficiency can effectively mitigate CH4 emissions from the coastal shrimp ponds. Overall, the large magnitude of net CH4 emissions observed in our shrimp ponds highlights the urgency of formulating appropriate policies and building sustainable institutions that can strike a balance between land‐based aquaculture development and greenhouse gas mitigation in the subtropical coastal regions

Glazing daylighting performance and Trombe wall thermal performance of a modular façade system in four different Portuguese cities

This paper reports on a new façade system that uses passive solutions in the search for energy efficiency. The differentials are the versatility and flexibility of the modules, which are important advantages of the system. The thermal performance of Trombe walls and glazings and the daylighting performance of glazing were the key aspects analyzed in the results. Computational simulations were accomplished for the thermal performance of different arrangements of the modules with DesignBuilder software. The glazing daylighting performance was studied by means of Ecotect and Desktop Radiance programs and compared with the transmittance curves of glazings. Occupancy profile and internal gains were fixed according to the Portuguese reality for both studies. The main characteristics considered in this research were the use of two double glazings, four different climates in Portugal and one and two Trombe walls in the façade. The results show an important reduction in the energy consumption with the use of Trombe walls and double self-cleaning glazing in the façade, which also presented better daylighting performance.Author Helenice M Sacht benefited from a scholarship granted by Erasmus Mundus ISAC - Improving Skills Across Continents to perform her research work at University of Minho, from which resulted this article

Sexual orientation and symptoms of common mental disorder or low wellbeing: combined meta-analysis of 12 UK population health surveys

Background Previous studies have indicated increased risk of mental disorder symptoms, suicide and substance misuse in lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) adults, compared to heterosexual adults. Our aims were to determine an estimate of the association between sexual orientation identity and poor mental health and wellbeing among adults from 12 population surveys in the UK, and to consider whether effects differed for specific subgroups of the population. Methods Individual data were pooled from the British Cohort Study 2012, Health Survey for England 2011, 2012 and 2013, Scottish Health Survey 2008 to 2013, Longitudinal Study of Young People in England 2009/10 and Understanding Society 2011/12. Individual participant meta-analysis was used to pool estimates from each study, allowing for between-study variation. Results Of 94,818 participants, 1.1 % identified as lesbian/gay, 0.9 % as bisexual, 0.8 % as ‘other’ and 97.2 % as heterosexual. Adjusting for a range of covariates, adults who identified as lesbian/gay had higher prevalence of common mental disorder when compared to heterosexuals, but the association was different in different age groups: apparent for those under 35 (OR = 1.78, 95 % CI 1.40, 2.26), weaker at age 35–54.9 (OR = 1.42, 95 % CI 1.10, 1.84), but strongest at age 55+ (OR = 2.06, 95 % CI 1.29, 3.31). These effects were stronger for bisexual adults, similar for those identifying as ‘other’, and similar for 'low wellbeing'. Conclusions In the UK, LGB adults have higher prevalence of poor mental health and low wellbeing when compared to heterosexuals, particularly younger and older LGB adults. Sexual orientation identity should be measured routinely in all health studies and in administrative data in the UK in order to influence national and local policy development and service delivery. These results reiterate the need for local government, NHS providers and public health policy makers to consider how to address inequalities in mental health among these minority groups

Drug-Induced Anaphylaxis Survey in Portuguese Allergy Departments

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Drug-induced anaphylaxis is an unpredictable and potentially fatal adverse drug reaction. The aim of this study was to identify the causes of drug-induced anaphylaxis in Portugal. METHODS: During a 4-year period a nationwide notification system for anaphylaxis was implemented, with voluntary reporting by allergists. Data on 313 patients with drug anaphylaxis were received and reviewed. Statistical analysis included distribution tests and multiple logistic regression analysis to investigate significance, regression coefficients, and marginal effects. RESULTS: The mean (SD) age of the patients was 43.8 (17.4) years, and 8.3% were younger than 18 years. The female to male ratio was 2:1.The main culprits were nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (47.9% of cases), antibiotics (35.5%), and anesthetic agents (6.1%). There was a predominance of mucocutaneous symptoms (92.2%), followed by respiratory symptoms (80.4%) and cardiovascular symptoms (49.0%). Patients with NSAID-induced anaphylaxis showed a tendency towards respiratory and mucocutaneous manifestations. We found no significant associations between age, sex, or atopy and type of drug. Anaphylaxis recurrence was observed in 25.6% of cases, and the risk was higher when NSAIDs were involved. CONCLUSIONS: NSAIDs were the most common cause of anaphylaxis in this study and were also associated with a higher rate of recurrence. We stress the need for better therapeutic management and prevention of recurring episodes of drug-induced anaphylaxis

EFSA NDA Panel (EFSA Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies), 2013 . Scientific opinion on Dietary Reference Values for fluoride

Following a request from the European Commission, the Panel on Dietetic Products, Nutrition and Allergies (NDA) derived Dietary Reference Values (DRVs) for fluoride, which are provided as Adequate Intake (AI) from all sources, including non-dietary sources. Fluoride is not an essential nutrient. Therefore, no Average Requirement for the performance of essential physiological functions can be defined. Nevertheless, the Panel considered that the setting of an AI is appropriate because of the beneficial effects of dietary fluoride on prevention of dental caries. The AI is based on epidemiological studies (performed before the 1970s) showing an inverse relationship between the fluoride concentration of water and caries prevalence. As the basis for defining the AI, estimates of mean fluoride intakes of children via diet and drinking water with fluoride concentrations at which the caries preventive effect approached its maximum whilst the risk of dental fluorosis approached its minimum were chosen. Except for one confirmatory longitudinal study in US children, more recent studies were not taken into account as they did not provide information on total dietary fluoride intake, were potentially confounded by the use of fluoride-containing dental hygiene products, and did not permit a conclusion to be drawn on a dose-response relationship between fluoride intake and caries risk. The AI of fluoride from all sources (including non-dietary sources) is 0.05 mg/kg body weight per day for both children and adults, including pregnant and lactating women. For pregnant and lactating women, the AI is based on the body weight before pregnancy and lactation. Reliable and representative data on the total fluoride intake of the European population are not available

Wasteland energy-scapes: a comparative energy flow analysis of India's biofuel and biomass economies

Through a comparative energy flow analysis, this paper examines the energy security impacts of growing biofuels on wastelands in South India. India's National Policy on Biofuels claims that wastelands are well suited for biofuel production because they are empty and unused. However, in rural Tamil Nadu, a Prosopis juliflora fuelwood energy economy already exists on these lands and services a mix of rural and urban consumers at household and industrial levels. This Prosopis economy currently provides 2.5–10.3 times more useful energy than would the government's proposed Jatropha curcas biodiesel economy, depending on Jatropha by-product usage. Contrary to the government's claims, growing biofuels on wastelands can weaken, rather than improve, the country's energy security. Further, replacing Prosopis with Jatropha could engender changes in economic and property relations that could further weaken energy security. These findings are not specific to rural Tamil Nadu as Prosopis is widely used as a fuelwood throughout Asia and Africa. Calls to ‘develop’ degraded lands through biofuel promotion similarly exist in these regions. This study underscores the importance of analyzing wasteland-centered biofuel policies at local levels in order to better understand the changes in human–environment relationships resulting from this policy push

Impact of gestational weight gain on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in obese diabetic women

Both obesity and gestational diabetes mellitus are increasing in prevalence, being a major health problem in pregnancy with independent and additive impact on obstetrics outcomes. It is recognized that inadequate gestational weight gain is an independent risk factor for pregnancy-related morbidity. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of gestational weight gain on obstetric and neonatal outcomes in obese women with gestational diabetes

Reviewing progress: 7 Year Trends in Characteristics of Adults and Children Enrolled at HIV Care and Treatment Clinics in the United Republic of Tanzania.

To evaluate the on-going scale-up of HIV programs, we assessed trends in patient characteristics at enrolment and ART initiation over 7 years of implementation. Data were from Optimal Models, a prospective open cohort study of HIV-infected (HIV+) adults (>=15 years) and children (<15 years) enrolled from January 2005 to December 2011 at 44 HIV clinics in 3 regions of mainland Tanzania (Kagera, Kigoma, Pwani) and Zanzibar. Comparative statistics for trends in characteristics of patients enrolled in 2005--2007, 2008--2009 and 2010--2011 were examined. Overall 62,801 HIV+ patients were enrolled: 58,102(92.5%) adults, (66.5% female); 4,699(7.5%) children.Among adults, pregnant women enrolment increased: 6.8%, 2005--2007; 12.1%, 2008--2009; 17.2%, 2010--2011; as did entry into care from prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission (PMTCT) programs: 6.6%, 2005--2007; 9.5%, 2008--2009; 12.6%, 2010--2011. WHO stage IV at enrolment declined: 27.1%, 2005--2007; 20.2%, 2008--2009; 11.1% 2010--2011. Of the 42.5% and 29.5% with CD4+ data at enrolment and ART initiation respectively, median CD4+ count increased: 210cells/muL, 2005--2007; 262cells/muL, 2008--2009; 266cells/muL 2010--2011; but median CD4+ at ART initiation did not change (148cells/muL overall). Stavudine initiation declined: 84.9%, 2005--2007; 43.1%, 2008--2009; 19.7%, 2010--2011.Among children, median age (years) at enrolment decreased from 6.1(IQR:2.7-10.0) in 2005--2007 to 4.8(IQR:1.9-8.6) in 2008--2009, and 4.1(IQR:1.5-8.1) in 2010--2011 and children <24 months increased from 18.5% to 26.1% and 31.5% respectively. Entry from PMTCT was 7.0%, 2005--2007; 10.7%, 2008--2009; 15.0%, 2010--2011. WHO stage IV at enrolment declined from 22.9%, 2005--2007, to 18.3%, 2008--2009 to 13.9%, 2010--2011. Proportion initiating stavudine was 39.8% 2005--2007; 39.5%, 2008--2009; 26.1%, 2010--2011. Median age at ART initiation also declined significantly. Over time, the proportion of pregnant women and of adults and children enrolled from PMTCT programs increased. There was a decline in adults and children with advanced HIV disease at enrolment and initiation of stavudine. Pediatric age at enrolment and ART initiation declined. Results suggest HIV program maturation from an emergency response

Invited Commentary: Secondhand Smoke-an Underrecognized Risk Factor for Cognitive Decline.

Pan et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2018;187(5):911-918) reported findings that exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS) was associated with cognitive decline over the course of 2 years among middle-aged and older Chinese women who never smoked, and they also reported a dose-response relationship. SHS exposure affects vulnerable people disproportionately because they have less control or choice over their living and working environment. Smoking is an established risk factor for dementia, but recent evidence reports on dementia-risk increase have not included SHS. Many epidemiologic studies collect data on smoking but not SHS exposure. SHS may be one of the most prevalent and modifiable risk factors for cognitive decline and therefore represents a major potential target for reduction of dementia risk. Given the high prevalence of smoking in China and other parts of the world, there is an urgent need to raise awareness of SHS reduction as part of global and national strategies to reduce cognitive decline and dementia and to introduce legislation that protects nonsmokers and vulnerable children and adults from SHS